Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the scope of Thinkfinity's content areas resources.
2. Participants will navigate Thinkfinity's resources by browsing topics and resource types.
3. Participants will use advanced search features to locate resources.

Learning Activities:

Introduction: What is Thinkfinity?

Activity 1: Exploring the Content Partners.

• In groups of three, explore each of the remaining 8 content partners (1 per group). Look for unique or useful ways the site is organized or searchable and content available to share with the whole group. Record findings on the shared document.
  • Group 1 Document
  • Group 2 Document
• Searching a content partner of your choice, locate at least two different types of resources for a topic you teach.

Activity 2: Site Navigation: Browsing Thinkfinity Resources

• Participants with a partner(s) will explore these pages and practice navigating through the highlighted activities and browse the list of lesson plans and student interactives. Think, Pair, Share: What are the benefits of browsing rather than searching for a specific topic?
• Using these same pages to browse contents. Locate one resource that you could use in your classroom.

Activity 3: Advanced Search in Thinkfinity

• Explore the search features of Thinkfinity by searching for a topic or CCSS. What problems did you encounter with the search? What suggestions do you have for others trying out the search for the first time? What type resource is your favorite so far? Think, Pair, Share answers.
• Locate three different types of resources addressing CCSS you teach that can help you to add some excitement or engagement to your current lesson plans.

More Information: